[Results following radical pneumonectomy for bronchial carcinoma]

Between 1968 and 1978 82 radical pneumonectomies were performed in our clinic because of a bronchial epidermoid carcinoma. In 49 patients the operation was performed at least 5 years ago (December 31, 1973). 23 patients had a radical pneumonectomy with intrapericardial ligation of the vessels, atriumwall resection or pericardial resection (group A). In addition 13 patients had a dissection of the mediastinal lymphnodes (group B). In the remaining patients (n = 13) parts of the thoracic wall had to be removed (group C). The postoperative lethality (30 days) is 17.6% in group A, 38.5% in group B (2 patients died because of hematogenous metastases, 2 of pulmonary embolism and 1 of generalized pneumonia) and 10% in group C. The 5-year survival is 13% for group A, 8% for group B and 10% for group C.